Final four may be rearrested in U.K.; Australian also to be freed

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LONDON — The last four Britons held at Guantanamo Bay will be released within weeks and turned over to British authorities, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told lawmakers Tuesday.

Also Tuesday, Australia said one of its citizens will be released from Guantanamo without charge even though the United States believes he knew of plans for the Sept. 11 attacks, Australia's attorney general said.

The decision concerning the Britons follows months of negotiations between Washington and London and a direct appeal by Prime Minister Tony Blair to President Bush.

"The four men will be returned in the next few weeks," Straw told the House of Commons.

"Once they are back in the U.K., the police will consider whether to arrest them under the Terrorism Act 2000 for questioning in connection with possible terrorist activity. Any subsequent action will be a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service."

Britain has sought for months to secure the return of the four men: Moazzam Begg, Feroz Abbasi, Martin Mubanga and Richard Belmar.